Toure determined to prove Wenger wrong

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is determined to show Arsenal they were wrong for letting him leave when he returns to his former club.

The Ivory Coast international left the Emirates to join Manchester City in 2009.

Toure said at the time he felt he was forced out after his relationship with centre-back partner William Gallas deteriorated so much they barely spoke for a year.

He has returned a few times since but having been written off after being released by City, the 32-year-old is enjoying a new lease of life at Anfield and is relishing a trip back to his former club.

“It is where I started playing football. They gave me a chance to come here (to England),” he said.

“It is always special playing against them but at the same time I want to show them they made a mistake in letting me go.

“I think it is going to be a great game for me. It is always a great time for me when I play against the club I used to play for.

“I will try my best to show them I am a great player - but for my team first as that is most important.”

While he said he has a point to prove, Toure has nothing but affection and respect for Arsene Wenger.

“Without him I was not going to play in England. He was the one who saw me and for me he is a fantastic manager,” he added.

“But it’s not the time to talk about him. I’ve spoken about him in the past and for me it is a fight.

“I want to make my team win and I don’t want to think about any good things he did for me because that might ease my temper.

“The only thing I think is ‘I will show them’.”

Toure said it was not for him to analyse why the Gunners have not won a trophy since 2005 but he believes they and Liverpool should consider themselves title contenders after both had decent starts to the season.

“I can’t talk for them, I’m not there anymore and I don’t know what’s been wrong,” he said.

“Arsenal have started really well but Arsenal will always be a good team, it doesn’t matter which players they have.

“They have a great manager who knows what he is doing but we have a great manger and fantastic players as well.

“We will give everything we’ve got to win this game.

“We have a strong team and they know that. We know they are good players but they know we have great players and it will be a tough game for them.

“Of course they are title contenders. They have great players, a good team, fantastic manager and good people and for us every game is a challenge.

“We are title contenders because we have great players and this is a fantastic club and we show that with the way we play.

“We want to win and any team that wants to win wants to win the title.”

Key to their success will be the form of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, who have 14 league goals between them already despite the former’s delayed start to the campaign because of suspension.